Loose Steering
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 586
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Loose Steering
Hey yall, my brother just picked up an 1981 f100, and the steering is loose, I am used to working on 60-70s truck s so I looked at ti for him expecting to find a shot rag joint, but no rag inder the hood? just a knuckle, so my qeustion is how do you tighen up the steering in this year truck? it dont wander or track or pull like an alignment proplem just alot of play in the wheel it seems.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 3
From: Suffolk, VA USA
Unless you have an aftermarket steering shaft, there is a rag joint. It's under a plastic cover where the steering shaft connects to the steering box. Check that and all your steering gear (ball joints or king pins, tie rods, etc.) for wear. If all those check ok, you can adjust the steering load by losening the locknut located on the small slotted shaft on top of the steering box, and turning the shaft clockwise. You should not try to adjust that shaft more than a quarter of a turn at a time. This may provide some temporary relief for the loose steering, but will cause the box to wear even quicker. After a couple of adjustments you'll need to replace the box.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmkelly
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Sep 5, 2017 04:30 PM
Fish_Scientist
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
24
Jul 20, 2017 10:57 AM
78150custom
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Dec 12, 2009 07:20 PM
